It is often said that people are never alone, as millions of viruses, bacteria and fungi live with us. But we also have small animals that never leave us. This is the case Demodex folliculorumtype arachnids who live exclusively in the skin of our face. And also in our nipples. They feed on sebum, which is produced in the pores. In fact, this is his favorite place. There they live, feed and mate. In general, this is all we know about them so far. However, a new study just published in Molecular biology and evolution provides new information about the most interesting.
To reach it, its authors, natives of University of Readingperformed sequencing of its genome. This made sure that their privileged enclave helped them optimize your genes to the maximum. In the skin of our face, they do not have to compete with other species for food or for mating. They don’t have predators, and although they take advantage of us, they aren’t generally annoying, so we don’t try to kill them. In fact, although these mites are talked about more and more, we try very hard to forget that they exist. Out of sight, out of mind.
And they measure just over 0.3 mm in lengthso we can’t see them with the naked eye. We know they are there, but they don’t harm us. It is true that in some cases they have been associated with certain eye infections. Or even with eczema in the areola-nipple complex. But these are exceptions. Usually they don’t affect us, so live with us in complete peace. And this quiet life made them lose their genes in the process of evolution. They have everything they need to stay alive, but thanks to them they can do very curious things.
Arachnids that make the best use of their diet
arachnids Demodex that live on the skin of our face become easier. In a study just published, they confirmed that their legs only havethree unicellular muscleswhich are enough and they remain to move from time to time in search of food and mating partners.
In addition, they do not need a very varied diet. In fact, their requirements for nutrients such as protein are minimal. Other invertebrates, like mosquitoes, have to resort to tricks like sucking our blood to get the proteins they need to lay their eggs. But Demodex there are enough of them and they remain with what little they can get in our face.
They steal our melatonin
Generally, small invertebrates such as arachnids and other mites need a gene that makes them wake up with daylight. Demodex They lost it over time. This makes them nocturnal animals. And the truth is, they are there because they feed and mate at night.
Nonetheless, they also cannot produce melatonin. It is a hormone closely related to heart rhythms people who tell us when we should sleep. It is secreted at night, causing drowsiness, and ceases to be produced during the day. In the case of many nocturnal invertebrates, the opposite is true. Melatonin keeps them awake and active. These arachnids cannot excrete it, but they do take advantage of the small amount we excrete through our skin after sunset. We sleep and they go to eat. And mate.
The Demodex Kama Sutra is very abbreviated.
Okay, the Kamasutra is not a posture book. But we understand each other. People have many postures to maintain sexual intercourse. Other animals are not as resourceful, but can also vary within a few.
According to this new study, if Demodex folliculorum there’s only one here. The male has penis sticking up from the front of your body. For this reason, he always copulates under the female. Of course, these are the ones who like to pull their hair during sex. And from their own hair, since both males and females cling to the hairs of the follicles so as not to lose their posture during mating.
They have an undeservedly bad reputation.
Another very interesting fact in this new study about Demodex in that they have anus. This may seem trivial, but it is not.
Until now, it was believed that these ticks do not have an anus, therefore collected all the faeces generated throughout his life and finally released after death, causing Inflammation in our skin.
They were thought to have no anus and accumulated their feces until death, causing inflammation of the skin.
As such, they have been associated with a wide range of dermatological diseases. Now that we know that they have an anus, we will have to look for another origin for the pathologies with which they are unjustly burdened.
And the anus isn’t the only organ found in this extensive study of the arachnids that live on our face. It was also noticed that they very characteristic cheek appendageswhich help them gather food in an optimal way.
Ultimately, this study showed that fascinating animals. Of course, they inevitably cause us some objections. So if you’ve made it this far without scratching your face, congratulations, you have an enviable ability to concentrate. And if you scratch yourself, don’t worry. They’re there, but they don’t sting, so it’s all in your head. And in your face, of course.
Source: Hiper Textual
